Tag Archives: Falkland

RMs at 355

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Happy Birthday, Royal Marines, founded 28 October 1664.

Two Royal Marine Snipers and an FN MAG-equipped GPMG Gunner of 42 Commando prior to the Assault on Mount Kent. Falkland’s War, June 1982. Note the WWII-ish L42 bolt-action Enfield sniper rifle and the Vietnam-era AN/PNV2 Starlite scope on the shooter in the center of the frame.

42 Commando included a company (J) that was formed around Naval Party 8901– the ill-fated two-platoon force of Marines who garrisoned the islands during the Argentine invasion in April. Repatriated, they came back for a little payback.

And to play us out, here is the RM band…

Humphrey the Sub Killing Chopper of 1982

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This is Humprey, a humble Westland Wessex ASW helicopter used by the RN in the Falkland Islands War (30 long years ago)

Specifications (Wessex HC.2)

Data from Westland Aircraft since 1915[4]

General characteristics

Crew: Two pilots (civilian type 60 Wessex cleared for single pilot operation[5])
Capacity: 16 troops or 8 stretchers
Length: 65 ft 10 in[6] (20.07 m)
Rotor diameter: 56 ft 0 in (17.07 m)
Height: 15 ft 10 in (4.83 m)
Disc area: 2,463 ft² (229 m²)
Empty weight: 8,340 lb (3,767 kg)
Loaded weight: 13,500 lb (6,136 kg)
Powerplant: 2 × Rolls-Royce Gnome H.1200 Mk.110/111 turboshaft, 1,350 shp (1,007 kW) (limited to 1,550 shp (1,156 kW) total[1]) each

Performance

Maximum speed: 132 mph (115 knots, 213 km/h)
Cruise speed: 122 mph (106 knots, 196 km/h)
Range: 310 mi (270 nmi, 499 km) with standard fuel
Service ceiling: 12,000 ft (3,660 m)
Rate of climb: 1,650 ft/min (8.4 m/s)

 

Humphrey was offically known as Helicopter 402, and did quite well for herself in 1982.


The Daily Mail ran a great story including parts of the war diary of one of her Lieutenants, now a retired Rear Admiral. Its worth a read.